Elderly Drivers

Elderly Drivers

It's a reality of life. Our skills as drivers change as we age.

There are 30 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older in the United States. When injured in motor vehicle crashes, older drivers are more likely to die than younger drivers – underscoring the importance of older driver safety.

In 2008, older people accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and 18 percent of all pedestrian fatalities.

Issues Confronting Elderly Drivers

It’s a reality of life. Our skills as drivers change as we age. The ability to drive allows one freedom and control to do the things that enable independent living. However, for many of us, there will be a time when we need to make the decision to limit or stop driving.

For the family and friends of an elderly driver, the concerns grow further. We want our loved ones to maintain a sense of independence, but we don’t want to see them hurt themselves or others in the process.

To better understand this issue, the following websites and groups provide comprehensive information on the challenges that confront elderly drivers:

Useful Links:

Driver Tips

Driver Tips

Safe Roads Alliance believes that crashes are preventable if drivers are educated and are aware of the distractions they face behind the wheel. The following tips and suggestions are aimed at improving the quality of driver of all ages.

Bucks for Hang-ups – When we see drivers using their cell phones, we will offer them $1.00 if they agree to hang up and refrain from making calls or texting while they drive!